A clogged sink is something we all have to face from time to time. It could be the kitchen sink from someone putting too much food down it or the bathroom sink and a hair clog. We have all had this issue at one time or another. Here are a few basic rules on how to unclog a sink.

There are only a couple of choices when learning how to unclog a sink. The first is to use some form of liquid drain cleaner. While these will work well on minor clogs and slow drains, any heavy obstruction will take a bit more work. Pour the required amount in and let stand, following the instructions on the bottle, when the clog releases, flush with hot water to insure that the pipe is clear.

The next step up is to purchase a small drain cleaning tool or "snake" as they are more commonly referred to. These tools range from hand operated crank-style ones to hand held motorized ones that resemble a drill with a large drum on the front. Both of these house a small cable, usually 1/4" around by anywhere from 15' to 25' in length, that is used to unclog the drain.

With these tools, you can unclog a sink by inserting the cable down the drain into the piping to force the clog to break apart and move out of the line. Both the hand crank and the motorized one provide a twisting motion to the cable to help in moving it down the pipe, thereby breaking the clog. These are normally affordably priced and widely available.

Removing the drain trap from under the sink will also add in the ease of using one of these snakes, be sure to place a bucket underneath before removal as the trap will be full of water. Most clogged sinks are due to the trap having collected debris. Learning how to unclog a sink is a skill all homeowners should have in their arsenal.